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July 2004
Posts: 474
Location: Anchorage, Alaska | Anyone out there have any tricks and/or tips to restring 12 string slot heads correctly? I have heard they can be a "bear" to restring. I have no problems with 6 string guitars but have absolutly no experience with slotheads. Can they be that much different? |
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March 2002
Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | Just be patient. I would also suggest using a coated string so that the strings only need to be changed a few times per year. It takes a little longer but it's not difficult. |
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November 2004
Posts: 1374
| just got my 1st 12 a little over a month ago from zorjon..... so my statement was that of a noob...
just took me a really long time and my speedwinder didn't fit the spacing of the pegs.
GLENN
and yes use coated.(I use elixirs) lites on the GC and extra lights on the Elite. awesome once they settle in.
1758(autumn),1118Bette, 1111-1Veronica |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | AFG,
String changes are another one of those rituals to be savored as much, if not more than cleaning your work bench: Intimidating at first, but once you decide to do it, it becomes some quality “Man Time” with your tools!
My apologies to the ladies, you will have to draw your own analogy.
Both of you. ;)
I use an ironing board as my elevated work surface. I also employ a rolled up towel to support the neck. There are aftermarket goodies to do both but it is a simple concept.
The tuner buttons on a 12 string are smaller and closer. Having the right string winder can save time, patience and prevent those little nicks on the inside of the Ovation Mushroom Head!
Tension down, disconnect and cut the curled part of the strings to allow smoother removal through the bridge.
Now is a great time to fret oil the Fretboard and bridge, damp rag the dust from the inside of the bowl, remove electronics for cleaning and change the battery. Cleaning electronics can be done with compressed air or with a contact cleaner if you wish. Make sure the battery is disconnected. Double check that you put the wires back in their holders.
Clean and polish the top and neck. Don’t forget to oil or wax the back of the neck as is appropriate.
With a piece of cloth or cardboard abutting the bridge pass all 12 strings through their respective holes. Us your discarded “G” string (here it comes) to align all of the round ends.
I like to start with the bass strings, closest to the nut and work my way up one side at a time. Wrap the strings so that:
·The wraps go outboard to pull in and trap the string in the guide.
·No more than 4 wraps for the wound strings.
·No more than 6 wraps for the unwound.
·\\\O\ This means first wrap inside, cross over the hole and 3 wraps pulling into the hole. This is the bass side.
It is easy to get reversed when you go to the Treble side - you have been warned!
You will have to work out your own way of articulating your fingers to hold the wraps in, pull the exit part of the string and turn the winder. I watched how they did it at the Factory on the “Made in USA” DVD that made the rounds.
Trim the string ends to about ¼”-1/2” which is where my multi-tool could reach. I believe that cutting the string ends is akin to cutting the umbilical cord and starting their true life. Others think that you are removing part of their soul – see other posts.
Pull the "G" string now.
Pics of my now sold Pacemaker are in the gallery.
Enjoy! |
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November 2002
Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | After seeing them at the factory, I came home and made a neck support with some scrap wood and a carpet scrap. Many of the ones at the factory were works of art but mine just works. Really helps. |
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July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | It's painful, but it feels so good when you're done and the guitar sounds so much better. I agree with the advice to use coated strings; I use D'Addario EXPs on my 1118 GC 12-string.
Roger |
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November 2004
Posts: 1374
| is that a preference or just what you've tried? only on my first sets of elixirs on 3 diff guitars.
guys? chocolate and vanilla or apples and oranges?
your thoughts?
Thanks,
Glenn
1758(autumn), 1118Bette, 1111Veronica. |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Glenn, when I see your post from General Posting it says "unixycler", then when I click on to read it - "Glenn Hess"
So, both of your screen names come up...maybe Miles can fix it. |
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November 2004
Posts: 1374
| Tony,
yes i noticed that starting today. thought it was cuz i'm using mozilla or my linux box. but miles if you could please do that. just put everything under Glenn Hess so we don't have another.
"String Cheese incident". :rolleyes:
thanks,
Glenn
just checked the profile and should be coming up as Glenn Hess across the board. so the issue is at that end. that persona is not associated w/this profile any longer
again thanks,
GLENN |
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July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Glenn, I tried Elixir Polywebs, absolutely HATED them....haven't tried Nanowebs, don't know about them. But I've never been disappointed with the EXPs.
Roger |
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March 2002
Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | Everybody has their own opinion on strings. You've got to try different type and see what works. There's no right or wrong answer. |
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November 2002
Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | I'd rather change strings more often than put on dead sounding coated strings. As the P.I. stated, everyone has their opinion. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | My gig guitars (a 6 and a 12) usually get restrung about twice a month, along with occasional single string replacements at gigs . . |
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February 2004
Posts: 47
Location: Seattle Tacoma Washington | I'll agree with MWoody on the string change. I usually sit in a chair and do it at the dinner table. I bought a string swing and mounted it to a board for string changes, works great for keeping the neck in place! Put the headstock over the edge of the table so you can wind the gears without anything getting in your way. Have fun! Play on Pray for Peace.
Glenn Anderson :p |
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June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | I sit on the floor cross legged with the headstock across my lap. I can string the slotted headstock guitars just as quickly as a non-slot but I think that's just through practice. But, saying that, I do spend about 20 minutes to do it because I clean everything real well while the strings are off. |
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Tips & Tricks to Restring Slothead 12's correctly
